Two Vampire Crab Species Found, Are Already Popular Pets

Spooky-eyed crustaceans sold as aquarium pets are two previously unknown species from Indonesia, a new study says.

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A newfound species of vampire crab, Geosesarma dennerle, shows off its purple claws.

Photograph by Chris Lukhapu

PUBLISHED March 16, 2015

Vampire crabs, so named because of their glowing yellow eyes, have become popular as pets, but the origin of some of these spooky-looking crustaceans has been cloaked in mystery.

Until now.

Now researchers have traced the freshwater crabs back to their wild source in Southeast Asia—and report that the two most sought-after species are new to science.

The newly described species, Geosesarma dennerle and Geosesarma hagen, were found in separate river valleys on the Indonesian island of Java (map).

"These crabs are kind of special because they've been around in the pet trade for ten years, but no one knew where they come from," said study co-author and professional aquarist Christian Lukhaup of Waiblingen, Germany.

Scientists have identified other vampire crab species before, including those in the aquarium trade, but the newfound species are the most common pets, he said.

The new vampire crab G. dennerle is a deep purple with a creamy splotch on its back. G. hagen catches the eye with its bright orange shell and claws. (Also see "Pictures: New Purple Crab Species Found.")

These crabs' blazing eyes and spectacular colors explain their attraction to aquarists.

"Dealers working in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world know what their clients are looking for in terms of colors," said study co-author Christoph Schubart, of Germany's Regensburg University's Institute of Zoology.